In observance of Military Appreciation Month in May, numerous organizations have created campaigns designed to honor the dedication and sacrifices of U.S. military personnel and veterans.
The programs aim to foster recognition and gratitude for the service of members of the U.S. armed forces.
Promotions to Support Service Members and Veterans
Soldiers’ Angels
The national nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels has two campaigns running in May: Go Camo and Honor Military Working Dogs. Both were created to help send highly requested items to deployed service members and working dogs. After successful campaigns in 2023, Soldiers’ Angels hopes to collect 20,000 pounds for Go Camo and 2,000 dog items for the Honor Military Working Dogs initiative.
Those who wish to help may either donate money or collect care-package items that soldiers request the most, including hygiene and personal items, snacks, and downtime items. There’s even an Amazon registry to make it easy to help our troops.
Details are on the Soldiers’ Angels website, and donations will be accepted through June 30.
“We’re excited to provide much-needed support to our deployed service members and military working dogs to ensure they know the American people are thinking of them during these tumultuous times,” said Soldiers’ Angels President and CEO Amy Palmer.
Go Camo, which launched in 2020, has delivered over 100,000 support items to U.S. service members worldwide.
The Soldiers’ Angels Honor Military Working Dogs initiative runs May 5-11 during National Pet Week. Wish-list items include large food and water bowls, strong toys for power chewers, grooming tools and waste bags. Dog food or treats cannot be accepted (all MWDs are fed specialized diets).
Details for how to collect items locally for military working dogs, shop and ship, or shop via Amazon Registry are available on the organization’s website.
Starbucks
For every Starbucks eGift in their Military Appreciation category sold May 1-31, Starbucks will donate $5 to be shared evenly between Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude to support the military community. The coffee chain will also support nearly 150 events and giveaways at various store locations across the country to celebrate military spouses.
84 Lumber
The national supplier of building materials, components and services for residential and commercial construction continues its annual Operation Appreciation campaign to show appreciation for military personnel and veterans.
Military members employed by the Pennsylvania-based company will get an extra paid day off for veteran-related holidays. The company is partnering with the Malone Family Foundation for a celebrity hockey game on Mental Health Action Day, May 16, spotlighting the therapeutic aspects of hockey. They're also teaming with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Military Mondays, sponsoring flag-raising ceremonies during all home Pirates games in May, and participating in Armed Forces/Fireworks Night when the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Atlanta Braves on May 24.
Additionally, 84 Lumber will donate to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's Vets & Pets Program, host a pet supply drive and sponsor the PBS National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C.
"It is a privilege to offer our unwavering support to our esteemed military veterans and their families," said owner & CEO Maggie Hardy. "Their invaluable contributions to this nation are commendable, and we take great pride in commemorating their accomplishments."
Project Recover
The national nonprofit dedicated to bringing home America's missing-in-action (MIA) service members is offering the opportunity to donate throughout the month of May in honor or memory of a service member and to recognize the sacrifice of Gold Star MIA families. Additionally, on Saturday, May 11, 2024, Project Recover staff will complete an eight-hour march around Bend, Oregon, in honor of the 81,000+ Americans who gave their lives in service and have yet to return home. The organization is offering the opportunity to join the Memorial March virtually.
How to Donate to Support the Military Community
In addition to corporations running promotions during Military Appreciation Month, there are also many nonprofit organizations that offer opportunities to support the military and veteran community during Military Appreciation Month and year-round.
Below are 10 more nonprofit organizations to remember during Military Appreciation Month, recommended by The Charitable Payraise. They are among the most trusted charities supporting the military community and veterans:
Purple Heart Foundation: This 501(c)(3) is among the nonprofit organizations that have special benefits and support for service members who have been awarded a Purple Heart. It raises funds to support U.S. veterans and their families.
Wounded Warrior Project: The organization, founded in 2003 to provide care items to hospitalized service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, today focuses on mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and advocacy efforts.
Disabled American Veterans: The century-old, congressionally chartered veterans group helps disabled veterans and their families, including assistance with filing benefits claims, getting to medical appointments and finding jobs.
Fisher House Foundation: This top-rated military and veteran nonprofit is a private-public partnership that helps meet military families’ food, lodging, and transportation needs that go beyond the assistance provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
USO: One of the longest running troop organizations, with more than 80 years of assisting service members and their families, United Service Organizations support troops in a variety of ways, from care packages and airport lounges to visits from celebrities in war zones.
Homes For Our Troops: This nonprofit organization builds houses that are custom-made, allowing disabled veterans to live on their own without needing constant care.
Semper Fi Fund: The fund provides direct financial assistance and vital programming for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured service members and their families during hospitalization and recovery.
Operation Homefront: Its Transitional Homes for Veterans program offers rent-free housing for veterans as a means to build financial security and promote homeownership.
The Gary Sinise Foundation: Established under the philanthropic direction of Gary Sinise, an actor and 40-year advocate for the nation's military and defenders, the foundation builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans, hosts morale-boosting celebrations at military medical centers and provides meals to veterans and their families.
Honor Flight Network: This nonprofit organization gives military veterans the chance to see monuments and landmarks by flying them to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials that honor their service to the nation. Veterans can visit the Air Force Memorial, National Mall, U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other landmarks.
Information about charitable organizations previously published on Military.com contributed to this report.
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